Next Citizen's Police Academy taking shape

10-week program scheduled to begin April 13

CODY KING • cking@edwpub.net

Published 12:47 pm, Wednesday, March 8, 2017

The Edwardsville Police Department is now accepting applications for the Edwardsville Citizen’s Police Academy spring sessions. Individuals who are interested in learning about constitutional law, rights of citizens and the duties of law enforcement officers are encouraged to attend.

The 10-week academy will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday nights, beginning Thursday, April 13.

Sgt. Matt Breihan said the deadline for the applications will be Friday, April 7, and it’s important to apply soon, as the EPD is expecting a full turnout.

“We’ve already had three to five people show interest in the academy after the last one took place. I would not delay in getting in the applications because we are expecting another good turnout. We’ve received nothing but positive feedback from applicants who took the class and many of which wish they could take it again,” Breihan said.

Participants in the academy must be 21 or older. The academy will be limited to 20 participants and enrollment will be based on a first-come, first-served basis.

Breihan said a registration fee will apply as well, but will go toward the cost of materials for the academy.

“The registration fee is $25 and that goes towards the cost of the t-shirt and the materials for the class. The department makes no money off of it. It’s strictly to help the department put it on for the citizens. At the end, you’ll get a t-shirt that has the logo on it, a certificate of completion and then some take-home material,” he said.

After having instructed several past academies, Breihan said he is most looking forward to educating the public on what the job of a police officer actually entails.

“Every time we hold this class, I look forward to explaining what it’s like to be a police officer and what police work is actually like. How to constantly combat misconceptions based on TV and we show people the reality of what actually takes place. I like to watch the attitudes of the students change; not that we try to change their outlook on police work, but they come in there with an idea of what police work is like and they leave with a different idea. I think they develop a strong respect for law enforcement and what law enforcement officers do across our nation,” he said.

A graduation ceremony will follow completion of the academy, and all participants will receive a shirt and certification of completion.

The next Citizen’s Police Academy will take place in the fall of this year.

Breihan said as an instructor, he hopes to leave an impression on all who participate.

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“The goal that I would have, and I imagine along with all of our other instructors, is to provide as much information as we can; to answer all of the questions the public may have regarding police work, especially when it comes to procedures and why we do what we do. That’s very important that we get that message out there so people have a whole understanding of what our job is like and why we make the decisions that we make,” he said.

To enroll in the Academy or for more information, visit thecityofedwardsville.com/police or contact the Edwardsville Police Department at 618-656-2131.